Getting your dog ready
It’s always best to introduce a new item like a muzzle to a dog when they have already run off a bit of energy. So make sure that you have either played well with your dog or taken him for a good walk (or both!) before beginning the introduction. Also make sure that your dog has not just been fed as we want him to be a bit hungry so as the treats you are using will be even more appealing to him than usual.
Equipment you will require:
a muzzle
lots of tasty treats, including cream cheese , pate or something smear-able that your dog loves!
How to introduce a basket style muzzle to your dog
- Start by holding the muzzle in your hand and offering it to the dog for him to sniff. The second he sniffs at it, mark that behaviour either using your clicker or by saying a particular word like ‘yes’ or ‘good’ and then immediately give him a treat. (whatever word you choose to use, you must keep using the same word each time so that the dog builds the association between the word and that a treat is coming). Repeat this stage several times until the dog is reliably sniffing at the muzzle or touching the muzzle with his nose each time you present it to his face.
- Once your dog is happy with stage 1, begin to open and close the muzzle fastening so that he can hear the clicking sound and is not worried about that.
- Next, wipe some cream cheese or pate in the inside of the muzzle at the end where his nose would go. Allow your dog to stick his nose into the muzzle and lick the substance off but at no point attempt to push the muzzle further on or try to put the strap around the back of his head. Always allow your dog to come towards the muzzle – never the other way round!
- Repeat stage 3 several times over a couple of days until your dog is really enthusiastic about you presenting the muzzle to him.
- Repeat stage 3 again but this time, while he is busy licking at the tasty stuff, gently place the strap around the back of his head but do not fasten it – just hold it in place for a few seconds and then let the strap go and take the muzzle off his face.
- Repeat stage 5 several times a day for a couple of days, very slowly building up the length of time that you are holding the straps in place for.
- Once your dog is happy with stage 5, you can begin closing the strap for a few seconds and releasing it and taking the muzzle off. Slowly build up the time that the muzzle is on properly for – but don’t exceed the time that it takes you dog to lick away the tasty stuff.
- Each time you remove the muzzle remember to say ‘good’ and give your dog a treat.
- Build up the time that your dog is happy with the muzzle on by feeding him little treats of something VERY tasty like tube cheese, as this will be easier for the dog to get his tongue to.
- Repeat stage 9 lots and lots.
At no point should you rush your dog and if at any point he seems worried about the muzzle, go back to the previous stage where he was last comfortable with it. Once your dog is happy with the muzzle of for several minutes with you distracting him with tasty treats, take it off and leave it at that for that day. Put the muzzle onto your dog each day, just for a few minutes e.g while you groom him and give him a wee massage. This will help to build a positive association with the muzzle.
Meet Mary – our certified behaviourist
Our dog behaviour service is led by Mary Howat, who many of you may recognise from our Blairgowrie team!
Mary started working with Thrums in 2003, and has progressed to qualify as a certified animal behaviourist and certified Elite Fear Free professional. She also runs her own dog behaviour and training consultancy, K9INTUITION, taking veterinary referrals, behaviour consultations, one to one sessions with puppies and their owners and also providing advice for clients on choosing a puppy and before they have brought their puppy home.
She shares her life and home with her husband and their Labrador, Murdo and cat, Harray.
Call our Kirriemuir team today to book an appointment on 01575 572 643.